Mission in Kosovo organized a workshop on prevention and protection against domestic violence

Summary

On 21 June, in Pejë/Peć, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo organized a workshop with representatives of regional justice and non-justice institutions from the municipalities of Pejë/Peć, Klinë/Klina, Istog/Istok, Junik, Deçan/Dečane, Gjakovë/Đakovica, Rahovec/Orahovac and Malishevë/Mališevo, who work on tackling and domestic violence cases.

The workshop assessed the shortcomings in the application of the government “Standard Operation Procedures for Protection from Domestic Violence in Kosovo” against the “National Strategy on Protection from Domestic Violence and Action Plan 2016–2020” (NSPDVAP). The speakers also addressed the practice, and shortcomings of public institutions when supporting victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, the medical support given to victims of domestic violence, and the techniques required when interviewing victims.

The workshop brought together representatives from Kosovo Police, health institutions, the Centre for Social Work, the Victims’ Advocacy and Assistance Office, shelters, free legal aid, civil society organizations, and the Ombudsperson Institution. During the workshop, participants adopted recommendations on introducing a number of necessary amendments to the aforementioned standard operation procedures, and on supporting first responders in tackling domestic violence cases.